Rose plant

ABSTRACT

A new high centered red miniature rose which develops into Indian Lake red tonality upon aging.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the miniature rose class, which was originated by my crossingas seed parent the rose known as "Sheri Anne" and the rose known as"Tamango" as pollen parent.

Among the novel characteristics possessed by this new variety whichdistinguish it from its parents and all other varieties of which I amaware are relatively large hybrid tea-like flowers of red coloring andgood form with heavy but considerably variable petalage. As the flowersage they take on a purplish cast but remain vibrant. Asexualreproduction by budding of the new variety as performed in Essex County,Mass., shows that the foregoing and other distinguishing characteristicscome true to form and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

The new and improved rose variety which I have developed is a fineminiature rose beginning as a currant red bud and then tending towardvibrant magenta-like coloring upon aging. Like hybrid teas, the flowerstend to be singly-borne and high centered. The changing colors uponaging result in an eye-catching plant for display with varying butsimilar red and magenta-like tones often visible at the same time.

The accompanying drawing shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of the new variety in different stages of developmentand as depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible tomake the same in color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new variety, with colorterminology in accordance with the Royal Horticultural Society ColorChart (RHSCC). The terminology used in color description herein refersto plate numbers in the aforementioned color chart, e.g., "47A" is plate47A of the Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart.

Parentage: Seedling.

Seed parent.--"Sheri Anne".

Pollen parent.--"Tamango".

Class: Miniature.

The following observations are made of specimens grown in Essex County,Mass., during the month of July.

FLOWER

Blooming habit: Recurrent, near continuous.

A. Bud:

(1) Size.--Medium.

(2) Form.--Ovate.

(3) Color.--When sepals first divide -- 47A. As petals begin to unfurlcolor tends toward 53A, B bud takes on some 57D.

(4) Sepals.--Smooth, longer than bud.

(5) Peduncle.--Length -- about 3/4 to 1 inch. Aspect -- straight.Strength -- erect, strong. Color -- 144B.

B. Bloom:

(1) Size.--Average size when fully expanded -- about 11/2 to 2 inches.

(2) Borne.--Primarily singly.

(3) Form.--High centered at first, becoming flat upon opening, petalsremaining at first loosely rolled outward.

(4) Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions -- about 40 to65.

(5) Color.--Currant red buds seen only immediately after sepals divide,unfurl to 53A, B. As flower opens red purple coloring increases and at1/3 to 1/2 open predominant color is near to 57D bud as fully open bloomcolor tends toward Indian Lake 58A not quite, but similar to, a vibrantmagenta tonality from a distance.

C. Petals:

(1) Texture.--Thick.

(2) Appearance.--Inside -- satiny; outside -- satiny.

(3) Form.--Fan shaped but quilling to a star-like point.

(4) Arrangement.--Shingle-like.

(5) Petaloids in center.--Few.

(6) Persistence.--Drop cleanly.

(7) Fragrance.--Slight.

(8) Lasting quality.--Long on plant and as cut flower.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

A. Stamens, filaments and anthers:

(1) Arrangement.--Stamens regularly arranged around styles.

(2) Color.--Orange yellow.

B. Pollen: Color -- 66C, edged 24B.

C. Styles: Color -- 57A.

D. Stigmas: Color -- 57C.

E. Hips: Globular, medium size, Spanish orange color when mature, seedsdo not protrude.

PLANT

A. Form: Spreading.

B. Growth: Very vigorous, free branching.

Height attained.--12 to 15 inches.

C. Foliage: Compound 5 to 7 leaflet leaves.

(1) Size.--Medium.

(2) Quantity.--Abundant.

(3) Color.--Upper side -- 137A. Under side -- 147C.

(4) Shape.--Long, ovoid.

(5) Texture.--Upper side -- normal. Under side -- matte.

(6) Edge.--Serrated.

(7) Serration.--Normal.

(8) Leaf stem.--Color -- near to 137C. Under side -- near to 147C.

(9) Stipules.--Long and smooth.

(10) Resistance to disease.--Blackspot -- average. Mildew -- average.

D. Wood:

(1) New wood.--Color -- near 144A. Bark -- smooth.

(2) Old wood.--Color -- near to 143B. Bark -- smooth.

E. Thorns:

(1)Thorns.--Quantity -- few. On laterals from stalk -- few. Form --short, straight, pointed. Length -- short. Color (when young) -- 181D.Position -- irregular.

(2) Prickles.--None.

F. Winter hardiness: Needs some protection in extreme climate.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniatureclass, substantially as shown and described, characterized particularlyby red buds becoming reddish purple blooms borne primarily singlydeveloping into Indian Lake red upon aging.